Housing Requirements
Every reptile has it's own unique housing requirements depending on where they are usually found in Australia. As you would be aware, Australia's landscape varies greatly and therefore the habitat a particular type of reptile is found could vary significantly compared to other similar species.
So what kind of housing will your chosen reptile need?
Enclosures
Is your reptile terrestrial (ground dwelling) or arboreal (tree dwelling)?
Generally a terrestrial reptile will require a long enclosure vs an arboreal reptile which will require a tall enclosure.
For example, a Stimson Python is Terrestrial whereas a Carpet Python is arboreal.
Wood vs Glass
Enclosures can come in many shapes and sizes. The important thing to consider is if it is 100% secure (snakes can escape out of the tiniest of holes and even between sheets of glass). Consider how waterproof you need the enclosure to be - especially if your reptile has a greater water requirement such as turtles or frogs.
Is it lockable
A secure enclosure is a requirement for Category C animals. It is also important to ensure the access is secure to prevent escapes or if you have children (or unruly adults) in your home. For sliding glass doors you can purchase sliding door locks.
Substrate
There are various forms of substrate you can purchase for reptiles. Some people use artificial grass, others use sand or wood chips. It comes down to personal choice as well as they type of reptile you are keeping. Some want to make a more realistic environment and other keepers prefer a low-maintenance option. Keep in mind that anything loose such as woodchips could possibly be ingested by your pet either when eating or moving through the enclosure. Some reptiles, such as Woma Pythons, like to burrow into substrate. Contact us for more recommendations for your selected animal.
Enrichment
Your reptile needs to have adequate places to climb and hide. Consider where your reptile comes from. Does it like to live under rocks or up trees. Providing branches or rocks or 'hides' is important and all comes down to how realistic you want to make your enclosure. For example, we use a toilet roll folded over at one end as a 'hide' for hatchling pythons as they only need a small hide and these are cheap and easy to replace (even if they don't look like a rock).
Ventilation
Make sure your selected enclosure has appropriate ventilation - airflow in (high up) and out (low out) to assist with a thermal gradient.
Heating
It is important to recognize that reptiles are exothermic (cold blooded) which means they cannot regulate their own temperature, meaning they need to actively move their whole bodies into a hotter or colder environment to function. Therefore it is important to provide a thermal gradient in your reptile enclosure with a 'basking spot' set at the optimal temperature for your chosen reptile.
To regulate the temperature of the 'basking spot' we recommend using a thermostat to keep the area from overheating which could potentially burn your pet.
Heating can be achieved in a number of ways including an overhead heat lamp or an area such as a heat mat, heat cord or heat tile. You can purchase heat globes in different colors such as red or night glow or alternatively for complete darkness you can use a ceramic heat globe.
Lighting
The most important consideration with regards to lighting for your reptile enclosure is whether the particular reptile you are housing requires UVB light or not. Some reptiles can be kept with absolutely no lighting while others have very high UVB requirements, in particular lizards. It is very important to ensure that you provide adequate lighting for the reptile you are keeping or risk causing potentially fatal problems, such as metabolic bone disease.
Bearded Dragons, Frilled Necked Lizards and other lizards require UVB 10 as a minimum. It is recommended that any UVB globe be replaced regularly to ensure your lizard is getting it's full UV requirement.
Other reptiles such as snakes do not have the same UVB requirement and as such can be housed with only a light source that helps to view the reptile. It is a good idea to keep in mind the amount of heat a regular light globe emits as this needs to be taken into consideration as part of the thermal heat gradient needed for optimal health.
So what kind of housing will your chosen reptile need?
Enclosures
Is your reptile terrestrial (ground dwelling) or arboreal (tree dwelling)?
Generally a terrestrial reptile will require a long enclosure vs an arboreal reptile which will require a tall enclosure.
For example, a Stimson Python is Terrestrial whereas a Carpet Python is arboreal.
Wood vs Glass
Enclosures can come in many shapes and sizes. The important thing to consider is if it is 100% secure (snakes can escape out of the tiniest of holes and even between sheets of glass). Consider how waterproof you need the enclosure to be - especially if your reptile has a greater water requirement such as turtles or frogs.
Is it lockable
A secure enclosure is a requirement for Category C animals. It is also important to ensure the access is secure to prevent escapes or if you have children (or unruly adults) in your home. For sliding glass doors you can purchase sliding door locks.
Substrate
There are various forms of substrate you can purchase for reptiles. Some people use artificial grass, others use sand or wood chips. It comes down to personal choice as well as they type of reptile you are keeping. Some want to make a more realistic environment and other keepers prefer a low-maintenance option. Keep in mind that anything loose such as woodchips could possibly be ingested by your pet either when eating or moving through the enclosure. Some reptiles, such as Woma Pythons, like to burrow into substrate. Contact us for more recommendations for your selected animal.
Enrichment
Your reptile needs to have adequate places to climb and hide. Consider where your reptile comes from. Does it like to live under rocks or up trees. Providing branches or rocks or 'hides' is important and all comes down to how realistic you want to make your enclosure. For example, we use a toilet roll folded over at one end as a 'hide' for hatchling pythons as they only need a small hide and these are cheap and easy to replace (even if they don't look like a rock).
Ventilation
Make sure your selected enclosure has appropriate ventilation - airflow in (high up) and out (low out) to assist with a thermal gradient.
Heating
It is important to recognize that reptiles are exothermic (cold blooded) which means they cannot regulate their own temperature, meaning they need to actively move their whole bodies into a hotter or colder environment to function. Therefore it is important to provide a thermal gradient in your reptile enclosure with a 'basking spot' set at the optimal temperature for your chosen reptile.
To regulate the temperature of the 'basking spot' we recommend using a thermostat to keep the area from overheating which could potentially burn your pet.
Heating can be achieved in a number of ways including an overhead heat lamp or an area such as a heat mat, heat cord or heat tile. You can purchase heat globes in different colors such as red or night glow or alternatively for complete darkness you can use a ceramic heat globe.
Lighting
The most important consideration with regards to lighting for your reptile enclosure is whether the particular reptile you are housing requires UVB light or not. Some reptiles can be kept with absolutely no lighting while others have very high UVB requirements, in particular lizards. It is very important to ensure that you provide adequate lighting for the reptile you are keeping or risk causing potentially fatal problems, such as metabolic bone disease.
Bearded Dragons, Frilled Necked Lizards and other lizards require UVB 10 as a minimum. It is recommended that any UVB globe be replaced regularly to ensure your lizard is getting it's full UV requirement.
Other reptiles such as snakes do not have the same UVB requirement and as such can be housed with only a light source that helps to view the reptile. It is a good idea to keep in mind the amount of heat a regular light globe emits as this needs to be taken into consideration as part of the thermal heat gradient needed for optimal health.
